LENGTH OF FELLOWSHIP: 6 months (with potential to transition to full time role)

DATES OF FELLOWSHIP: Start ASAP

COMPENSATION:
Accommodation in Nairobi
Stipend commensurate with education and work experience
All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project to be undertaken

ABOUT LYNK:
Lynk is a technology startup established in 2015 which seeks to connect blue collar workers to employment in Kenya. At Lynk, we believe that the relationship between employers and informal workers is broken. We envision a world in which everyone can enjoy job security, fair wages, a safe work environment, and the opportunity for career growth. Additionally, for a household, hiring someone for a job should be safe, convenient, and fair. Our platform is designed to address each of these issues, offering a network of professionals that grows and improves over time. Currently we have verified professionals in over 140 categories ranging from cleaners, to masseuses, to plumbers, and tailors.

ABOUT BYLD:
Byld is new product suite operating within Lynk, offering a tech-based platform to build careers for informal workers in the building and construction sector. Byld has the potential to increase the regularity of work and incomes for the millions of informal workers in the construction sector across Africa, while improving productivity for construction firms.
The initiative is born from a collaboration with the international NGO, Mercy Corps, which works in 45 countries around the world to address root causes of poverty head on, and helping those caught in crisis not only meet their immediate needs, but build a brighter future. Mercy Corps’ Social Ventures Fund is an early-stage investor in Lynk, and the initiative involves collaboration with a Mercy Corps multi-country youth employment program, which seeks to identify, incubate and scale sustainable business solutions to a range of youth unemployment challenges across Africa.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Lynk recently agreed on a partnership to pilot the Byld platform in both Kenya and Uganda, and is seeking a Special Projects Fellow to spearhead the pilot, product development and business model. This will include:
Project Management: Conducting hands-on research with target users to identify pain points and product needs, and to lead the pilots on the ground through various sprints and rounds of testing.
Product Management: Work with developers and designers to guide product design, and evolve the product based on uptake and feedback from pilots.
Develop and refine the business model
Partnerships: Build partnerships to grow the Byld platform, supportive environment, and user base

This position requires entrepreneurial management from the start, and can transition into a full-time leadership role at Lynk based on the success of the 6-month fellowship.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The Special Projects Fellow will gain significant experience in the design and start-up of a sustainable social enterprise. Specific learning objectives include:
Market research and testing: A hands-on experience leading market research, piloting and testing on construction sites in Kenya and Uganda.
Product design: Working with developers and designers to create and evolve the platform.
Project management: Planning, day-to-day coordination of pilot activities, and stakeholder management.
Private sector and NGO engagement: Exposure to operations in start-up business, large corporations, and NGOs.

DELIVERABLES:
Development of platform version 1 (and subsequent iterations)
Business case and business model developed
Partnerships including collaborative partners and potential clients

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
MBA complete or in progress (or related field: Social Enterprise, Business Administration, International Development, etc.).
Entrepreneurial personality / self-starter – able to take responsibility and undertake tasks with minimal supervision.
Experience conducting market research, product design, and/or business modeling with start-ups.
International experience volunteering or engaging with an NGO or business beneficial.
Excellent writing and presentation skills.
Knowledge of construction sector a plus.
Flexible work attitude: ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and quickly evolving work environment.

LIVING AND WORKING AT LYNK:
The position will be based in Nairobi. Life in Nairobi is cosmopolitan, with lots to do and amenities readily available. Viewed at the tech hub of Africa, and the center of social enterprise and impact investment on the continent, it is an exciting place to be. The fellow will be housed at a room in or nearby the Lynk campus, in a quiet residential area near central Nairobi.

As a company, we’re a tight-knit and highly-collaborative team of developers, hustlers, planners, and doers. We provide the freedom and tools necessary for people to be comfortable and successful in their work and in return expect high performance and a culture of excellence. We value ambition, curiosity, candor and most of all an uncontrollable desire to create amazing things.